North High Violin Studio Policy

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 September 2010 09:29

Fees and Scheduling

Musical Art

From September 1 to May 30, I charge a flat fee of $100 per month for half-hour lessons and $190 per month for hour lessons, payable on the first of each month, or at the final lesson of the previous month. This includes the private lessons, two group classes each month and three weeks of vacation. The fee is the same even for months with 5 lessons - it evens out. I have a few barter arrangements, and negotiation is possible if you are a low-income family.
Summer lessons are à la carte: $23 per half-hour lesson, $45 per hour lesson, and $5 for each group class. There may be fewer than two group classes each month during the summer.
Generally, Book 1 students will need only a half-hour lesson. Book 2 and 3 students can take either half-hour or hour lessons. After Book 3, the student will normally need an hour lesson.
Missed lessons will not be made up or reimbursed unless you have phoned me by 9:00 p.m. on the day before, or you have received acknowledgment of your change in plans from me by email or phone before that time. Special consideration will be given in the event of acute illness or family emergency. Don't come if you're sick - we'll work something out.
Group Classes are not optional, and will be scheduled twice a month according to my availability. I will do my best to schedule times when everyone is able to attend.
The monthly payment may be reduced if notice of planned vacations is given by the first of the month.
If the bank returns a check to me, the parents of the student (or the student, if an adult) will be charged the bank fee.

Lessons and Practicing

Lessons and Group Classes take place in my home studio.
All persons in the studio will be respectful of each other at all times.
If other family members wish to attend a student's lesson, they must be able to remain quiet in the studio. Cell phones must be silenced, and all other electronic devices turned off.
Lessons will begin and end on time. If you arrive late, your lesson will still end at the appointed time. If I were to give you extra time, I would have to take it away from somebody else.
In case of extreme weather, if your school is closed, my studio will be closed. Be sure to call or email me to make sure I know your school was closed, and so that we can figure out how to reschedule your lesson.
For students up to 12 years of age studying Suzuki Books 1 through 3, one of the parents must be present in the lesson to take notes and to learn how to coach the student with his or her practicing. In an ideal world, the practice coach is the same parent at least 90% of the time. The practice coach should attend the group classes as well as the individual lessons.
Students, with their practice coach, are welcome and encouraged to observe each other's lessons. If another student has his or her lesson just before or just after you, you may plan to come early or stay later.
Listening is the First Part of practicing, and is possibly the most important part of practicing. All students are expected to listen to recordings of 1) the pieces they are working on, 2) other listening assigned by the teacher, and 3) any other high quality music of the student's choice (parents are the final arbiter of what's "high quality" - see below) for at least one third of their practice time. Some of the listening should be done actively and attentively, but the listening can happen any time, needs to be done every day, and can also be done while doing other things, like school homework. Students are encouraged to attend live performances as much as possible.

What's "high quality music?"
HINT: Popular music is sometimes high quality, but often not -- although quality music is certainly not limited to the "Classical" genre. For a listening list to get you started, see the Listening List page.
With each private lesson, the student will receive a practice assignment. For beginner and intermediate students, this will usually include the following components: an amount of time per day to practice, a listening assignment, a number of daily repetitions of one or more small portions of a piece (or pieces) with a specific technical goal, and possibly a larger project - such as playing an earlier piece, in a satisfying way, a number of times over the week. I will work with the practice coach to find the most effective way to approach the practice plan.
Time spent in private lessons and group classes does not count as practice time. I recommend a short practice session at home directly following your lesson.
Young beginners will start with a pretend violin and bow, to get used to the proper position and handling of the instrument. During this time, they will be listening, learning the songs aurally, learning some of the basic rhythms, and practicing posture and motor skills. When the student is ready, I will help you find a real violin of the right size that has a good sound quality.

Additional Opportunities

We will hold annual student recitals
Students are urged to participate in a Suzuki summer institute. I highly recommend the Suzuki Music Columbus summer program, held at Otterbein College in Westerville. See the SMC web site for more information. Other summer institutes accredited by the Suzuki Association of the Americas are held all over the country during the summer.
Students are encouraged to participate in their school orchestra program. If your school doesn't have an orchestra, or if you're home-schooled, I recommend the Bloom! Music and Movement Centre, which offers a Homeschool Strings orchestra program.
Students are encouraged to participate in local programs such as Columbus area youth orchestras, and Chamber Music Connection.